Over the years, archaeologists around the world have been able to discover traces of past civilizations, helping us understand how our ancestors lived. A few years ago, a team of Chinese archaeologists made a momentous discovery in the center of the country, Well, they found a Paleolithic site that dates back between 50,000 and 70,000 years ago.
This site, rated as one of the most important archaeological finds in China 2023, is located in Lezhi county, Sichuan province, at a site known as Mengxihe, according to the Sichuan Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology.
The ‘Xinhua’ news agency reported that the deposit It was initially discovered in 2019, when flooding uncovered stone tools, ebony, and animal fossils. Since then, the Institute of Cultural Relics and Archeology of Sichuan Province and the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have carried out extensive excavations at the site.
This place is located below the current level of the Mengxi River, and being an environment buried in water has allowed some organic materials to be collected in an exceptional way.
In this sense, Mengxihe has preserved various organic remains, including animal fossils, ebony and plant seeds. During 2023, More than 105,000 tools made of stone, wood and bone were unearthed at the site, in addition to numerous animal fossils and plant remains.
More than 30 types of animal remains have been identified, including elephants, rhinos, bears, cattle, deer, macaques, fish, turtles, snakes, frogs, birds, porcupines and bamboo rats. This variety covers large, medium and small animals; of aquatic, terrestrial and aerial habitats; and both carnivores and herbivores, detailed Zheng Zhexuan, archaeologist at the institute, according to the media ‘Xinhua’.
As for the plant remains, more than 30 families of seeds and fruits were found, including trees, fruits, seeds and gems. Among these, specimens of Sambucus thunbergiana were found, suggesting that ancient humans could have used herbs to treat wounds, according to Zheng.
More than 105,000 tools made of stone, wood and bone were unearthed at the site, in addition to numerous animal fossils and plant remains.
Photo:iStock
In addition to organic remains, Evidence of the use of fire and advanced cutting, carving and polishing techniques were found, indicating a high level of technological development in the inhabitants of Mengxihe.
Those discovered at Mengxihe provide invaluable materials for a deep understanding of the environment and climate of that time, Zheng stressed, highlighting the importance of the site for archeology and history in China.
DANIELA LARRARTE ASAAD
DIGITAL SCOPE EDITORIAL
TIME
